The International Criminal Court in the Global Criminal Justice System

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established on July 1, 2002 with the intention of acting as a permanent tribunal for heinous international offenses (crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, and more recently, crimes of aggression). Unlike the International Court of Justice—the judicial branch of the United Nations—the scope of cases, jurisdiction and mandate of the ICC are extremely narrow. Given its limited function, it is not surprising that the ICC has only opened 7 cases and indicted 28 people. The utility of such a court has been the subject of much debate and continues to spark controversy in political, military and academic circles.

Throughout the twentieth century, the international community contemplated the establishment of a permanent tribunal as a means to bring justice for serious international crimes and to hold accountable the perpetrators of those crimes. Particularly after WWII, and then again following the genocides in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the outrage against these criminals drove many countries to take action. Ad hoc tribunals were established to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and massive ethnic killings. Although these temporary courts were deemed successful in their limited scope, further atrocities demanded consideration of a permanent judicial body that could potentially deter future crimes. The following are brief descriptions of the ICC’s current pending cases:

The atrocities in Uganda, led by Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army, prompted an investigation by the ICC and the arrest of several Ugandan officials. On July 8, 2005, the ICC indicted Joseph Kony, Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo, Dominic Ongwen, and Vincent Otti on 21 counts of war crimes and 12 counts of crimes against humanity. In this situation, the ICC has been unable to proceed because two of the accused are dead and the other three are listed as fugitives.

The next case referred to the ICC involved the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The investigation includes war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Of the five people indicted by the court, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, Germain Katanga, Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, Bosco Ntaganda and Callixte Mbarushimana, only the first three are currently on trial in the Hague.

After conflict escalated in the Darfur region of Sudan, the Security Council of the UN referred the situation to the ICC. After further investigation, the ICC indicted seven individuals for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Although Ahmed Haroun, Ali Kushayb, Omar al-Bashir, Bahar Abu Garda, Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, Abdallah Banda, and Saleh Jerbo have all received indictments, only the latter two have voluntarily appeared in court.

Jean-Pierre Bemba, former vice-president of the DRC, was indicted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Central African Republic between 2002 and 2003. An ongoing investigation by the ICC into the atrocities committed by President Ange-Félix Patassé of the Central African Republic continues.

The 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya sparked investigation by the ICC, after Kenyan judge, Philip Waki, determined that the government was unwilling to seek legal action for horrific crimes following the presidential elections. The ICC indicted six individuals, known as the “Ocampo Six” after the ICC Prosecutor, for crimes against humanity. Proceedings are ongoing.

The ICC recently indicted Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, and Abdulla Senussi of Libia for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The case, referred to by the UN Security Council, is ongoing.

The president of Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Koudou Gbagbo, became the first head of state to be taken into ICC custody in late 2011. The pre-trial phase of his case began and hearings are set for June 18, 2012.

Regardless of how a situation arrives at the ICC, the international community seems to have found a method for addressing seriously egregious crimes occurring on an international scale. In order for the ICC to be even more effective, non-governmental organizations such as the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) are working toward worldwide ratification of the ICC.

The Rome Statute established the International Criminal Court in circumstances where states are unable or unwilling to resolve serious international crimes. The ICC can have jurisdiction over a case in one of three ways: if the UN Security Council refers the situation to the ICC; if the accused is a citizen of a signatory state; or if the crime was committed in the territory of a signatory state. Universal jurisdiction was sought for the ICC, but the United States strongly opposed granting such broad powers and was not a signatory to the Rome Statute. Several concerns arose regarding diminished state sovereignty, interference in foreign policy and potential prosecution of high-level political and military officials. Although such concerns so far appear unfounded, it remains to be seen how effective the ICC can be without a long-term commitment from the United States. Nevertheless, the court continues to press forward in its current endeavors to bring those accused to justice.

It is difficult to determine whether this relatively new institution can meet its objectives. Some opponents of the ICC suggest that because the court lacks a police component, it also lacks the authority to enforce its decisions. This deficiency has been most evident in the ICC prosecutor’s inability to require states to extradite fugitives. In reality, an ICC indictment is only as meaningful as the member state’s willingness to enforce it. Additionally, though the Rome Statute established a detention facility in The Hague for housing accused individuals awaiting trial, the facility was not intended for convicted prisoners. Much of the ICC’s credibility still depends on the legal precedents it will establish in the conviction phase of its current trials.

For example, in a landmark decision on March 14, 2012, the ICC found the former DRC commander Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of war crimes. As the first conviction for the court, human rights advocates celebrated the decision as a historical step in promoting justice for children and other victims of such atrocities. Since the sentencing phase still remains, it may be too early to tell whether this conviction will translate into actual punishment. It will be up to the ICC and the DRC to agree on a place to carry out the sentence, which may include life in prison. As with any justice system, there will be imperfections that may require policy adjustments. However, if the ICC has increased international cooperation in minimizing crime, most contend that the court’s efforts are worthwhile.